The State Government’s announcement today about the proposed appointment of a taxpayer funded Workplace Rights Advocate, and further legislative protection for Victorian public servants, is a bizarre overreaction to the Federal Government’s current workplace relations proposals, says VECCI.

 

VECCI General Manager - Workplace Relations Policy, David Gregory, said the State Government announcement comes at a time when the detail of what the Commonwealth proposes is still to be finalised, let alone publicly released. Implementation of any changes is then not expected until well into the New Year.

 

“To describe the Commonwealth proposals as a `take it or leave it’ system of industrial relations, as the State Government has done today, is an emotive overreaction”, says Mr Gregory.

 

“The Federal Government has committed to maintain the Federal award system for those that want to remain subject to Federal award coverage. They have committed to maintain the Industrial Relations Commission’s dispute-settling role.

 

“However, workplace parties will have the option, as they do now, of moving to workplace agreements if they choose to go down that path. VECCI is committed to this approach. We do need to continue to develop a framework of workplace relations regulation that enables workplace parties - employers, employees, and their unions if employees choose to be represented in that way - to put in place working conditions and work arrangements that are best suited to the needs of individual businesses and the employees working in those businesses.

 

“What we do not need is another layer of taxpayer-funded bureaucracy telling employers and employees what is best for their workplace.

 

“It should immediately reconsider what is proposed in today’s overreaction”, says Mr Gregory.